Justice or Injustice? The Ethical Dilemmas of the Recent Mass Executions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The article critically examines the ethical, legal, and governance issues surrounding the recent mass executions of over 170 alleged Kulunas (urban bandits) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under Operation Zero Kuluna. Employing a mixed-methods approach and guided by Conflict Transformation Theory and Restorative Justice Principles, the study finds widespread public consensus that these executions violated due process, human rights, and legal norms, despite some conditional support for the government's national security rationale. The research highlights fractured public trust in the justice system, concerns over political interference, and perceived complicity or silence from international and African organizations. It concludes that sustainable justice in fragile states like the DRC requires transparent legal procedures, judicial independence, community-based crime prevention, and international accountability to uphold human dignity and foster long-term peace.